Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-07-02
HOW HE WON HER.
BY HELENA MORRISON GATES.

and lncredulOus interrogation that Leslie
Murdoch turned upon him, pity tbs, tbs
true that wilma Harrington out HerOds
HerOd, in her eyowed enmity to our down
trOdden sex, and, after protracted study Of
her moods and lenses, begin to believe her
honest IN 1t, for she refuses, daily, offers
OF heart hand, and fortune. without q
second glance at the possessor. Totally
tmperyious 70 the grand passion, she pur-
sues the even tenor Of her way hardened
conqueror-7
unlike Caesar, continued this satirical
young man, she weeps not for new worlds
70 subiugate; they fall in her way without a
tear on her parts she's grown an old hand
At the business"
@Does not look so ancient?" in reply to
the eager protest of his friend
-Well-no-but she's far from being the
infant she appears"
Look Les, closer old fellow, and vouch-
safe the ungallant information, how old is
Leslie AIurdoek's obedient, courteous.
but undeniably eager and searching look
fell upon the little, rounded figure Of a
woman petite to childishness, robed IN
cream lace and satin. From it's simmer
ing folds peeped d slippersd foot, arched
and dainty the perfect pearl-white arms
and dimplsd hands bore no ornament they
were beautiful as those of a chissled
statue. cluster Of dewy-hearted roses
adorned her cOrsage, hutterlng with her
highest breath. But his eyes We're rlveted
on her matchless face, pallied, coldly-
white as the face of the sleeping dead, and
lighted with veiyet-dark eyes, purple as
pansies IN their scOrnful glow. So grave
were they, so unsmlling that his heart
nched as he watched her. The scarlet lips
ripe and vivid as a southern flower, held
curve OF mockery and hardness that contra
dicted the youthful face, framed in rip
pling waves of bronze gold hair, caught in
a careless Greek fashion at the back Of her
shapely head with a pearl arrow. How
she stood cut from the heavily freighted
Woman about her, all couture and miliin-
2she2" Leslie Murdoch caught his
breath, his heart on his lips as he turned 10
his friend. 20, eighteen or twenty"
Past thirty my boy" chatted Ralph.
@Well done! Is it nOt2 Don't
spurn my confidence" noting the
quick gesture Murdoch made as
though the words were sacrilege. "What
care ] how fair she be, etc. You
know she hates every scion Of our noble
race with desperate and pulling fierce
ness
@she never smiles" pursued Leslie's
informant, In the easy aside Of the gossip
who knows everything and more too.
Nothing even proyokes a CLEAN of sun
shine IN her otherwise perfect face. No
one knows her story, though this is her
birthplace; but it is generally decided that
some one. years ago, broke her heart or
took It and left her minus that vital organ. +"
@Vile wretch Curse him!"
These passiOnately indignant words were
barely audible, but they reached Ralph,
who looked his establishment, so greatly
courteous was Leslie at all times, so
equable Of mind and so profoundly calm,
that few, save OVer-deep injustice ever saw
his equaminity disturbed. His wild eyes
would blaze over the oppression Of the
weak, and they wore something of this ex-
preston as Ralph said quizZically:
$50 soonl ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS friend OF
my youth, do not, 1 beseech, thus early
PROSTATE yourself before this social Jugger-
naut. Your agonies will avail not, essen
TALLY feminine it is, therefore as cruel as
OF yore."
Nonsense
Smiling, easy, and self-possessed, Leslie
gazsd indulgently upon his merry friend
saying lightly
abe eaiIn,-Riehard is himself. Is thil
experimental knowledge, old boy?" Then
his earnestness coming back, "Seri.
Ously, Ralph" he said unheeding the
quick flush that crossed his com.
panion's forehead at his word
80 thOughtlessly spoken my whole beini
reVolts at the light estimate put upon on
most sacred ossession-Woman-by the
masculine world at large; frivolous one
who cheaper the heritage of all, 10 In
contrary Notwithstanding. ] worship pur
MOmllAOO4 as q uEOLAEE might LQE NOl
know Pm not susceptible. Ralph, smiling
"but / despise the Jest and Scott the snee
OF ready lips at the human weakness tina
only removes her one degree from angel
hood. Society! Bahi Truly fools rus
Ia where angels fear to tread"
"Good Prince Greatheart, " smiled Ralph
half earnest wholly afsctiOnate, for h
worshiped his friend "Were all like 70
the purer feelings need not prove as til
baseless fabric Of dream in this age O
hollow profession and unworthy possession
bat We can't have everything to please u
IN this vale Of tears. AS a reward of mer
shall I present you to the fair one wit
golden lOcks2"
sIf-with her approval" said LesI
Murdoch, with more interest than he wa
wont 10 exhibit. He was world weary an
reserved, this quiet man, with a wealth c
soul nobility and a breadth of mind an
heart that kept him from cynicism. Forty
five years of life had made him grave an
silent, but none could accuse him of stern
ness; he was too gentle Of nature, and sol
row had laid "a heavy hand upon hin
writing lines about his soft, dark eyes an
threading his curling jetty locks Wit
silver.
An hour later he was bowling before he
q CLEAN of half-vexed amusement rippliu
his calmness at Ralph's words, THE hone
is mine, Miss Darlington Of presenting
you my best friend, Leslie Murdoch, Il
characteristics, Miss Burlington"
smiled. such lavish praise should at lea
assure me a welcome at your hands, an
as she turned her wonderful eyes upc
them both and questioned lightly; is AI
Henderson playing Damon this evening
your Pythias?" he noticed with pain q
Unehanging gravity Of her face.
With the gracious Inconsistencies al
perfect courtesy Of which she was mistre
she returned Ralph's bow, and gave Lesl
4 seat beside her; not a sign did she gi'
that she was the cynosure Of admiring az
enVious eyes, that the lion OF the eveniI
was Geferentially seeking to engage her a
-tention for the moment. Her clear eyl
met his fully as she replied to his que
tons, but her compOsure never varied.
On the other hand, frank and nnspoilel
her companion, mp to the moment
claimed her for the waltz she had give
him, entered into conversation with q sem
Of relief. She WAS so natural so frt
from every sign OF consciousness, 1t Wi
indeed novel and refreshing. He hi
grown so amusedly weary Of women WI
duttered under his lightest tone and glanc
who posed for his benefit and sighed on
smiled where signs and smiles did create
execution. She was charming IN her 81
ceIe and straightforward manner Of e.
pressing pure frank thoughts with hene
Inns
be noted with sorrowful wonder tn
no smile ever sOftened the unvaryii
gravity of her face, or curved the decisi
lipas even during brilliant repartee al
CHANGING wit. Her keen, beautiful ey
met his steadily without a single passI
emotion TO soften or change them for
instant; 80 perslstently they questions
him, they almost Disconnected him, as
reading his very soul she gave nothing